It has been ages since I blogged, so feel a trifle rusty...but I know that maintaining this blog will stand me in good stead for the final subject of this course.
This subject has been really interesting and is directly helping me in my work in the library. One of the reasons that I wanted to do this course was to learn about the reasons why I do some of the things that I am expected to do in my role.Up until this assignment we have read about collection management, selecting resources to support teaching and learning, focussing on selection aids and tools and criteria. In my job, I have really just been expected to order resources according to staff and student requests, catalogues that float past, booksellers and materials to support the curriculum.
However, I did not understand why I was selecting resources or the precise 'how-tos'. This subject has helped me achieve a greater understanding of what I should be looking for ie varied resources, varied formats and focussing on only what is needed and not buying 'just in case'. The one stand out message I have got from this is that the learning and teaching needs are paramount. Practically speaking, the learning I have gained is impacting already on my selection decisions and I feel more confident about rejecting some materials which I probably woud have purchased once before. No more just in case purchasing. It also helped me when I had a few fairly pushy book sellers. Armed with selection criteria in mind, I was able to decide much more quickly what I would purchase, thus not losing time as I tried to evade sales which I previously have felt pushed into.
Still a bit hazy about the difference between collection management and collection development. Will keep revisting this until I really get it.
However the assignment was relatively enjoyable...it was good to have to find new resources to support a poorly resourced subject area and by sheer chance I was already working through a real life scenario with this. Fortunately I have received some positive feed back from the staff member with whom I was collaborating, so that was a lovely experience. I just hope that the theory that needed to be addressed comes across in my essay, because I know what I am doing in real life. Using selection criteria has really helped me decide which resources to acquire and in conjunction with the ALIA/ASLA statements about resource provision, I am now very much more aware of provididng equitable access to all users, bearing in mind individual and curriculum needs.
Buying the Kennedy text has been very useful as has owning 'Learning For the Future'. I also found the statements by ALIA/ASLA very beneficial as a support for this subject.
Monday, April 18, 2011
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